Estonian foreign trade of wood-based products from January to August 2013 25. October

Exports of wood-based
products is nearly four times higher than imports and both show growth trends compared
to eight months of the year 2012. According to Statistics Estonia the exports
of wood-based products in first eight months of 2013 amounted to 1073 million
euros, which is 11 % more than in the same period of 2012.

Wood-based products are
imported nearly four times less than exported – volume of import has increased
by 9.6%, totalling 277 million euros. The foreign trade balance surplus of
wooden products increased by +798 million euros.

Wood-based products are
the main stabilizers of Estonian trade balance. Compared to same period in previous year the
positive balance of first eight months increased from 714 to 798 million euros.
The total foreign trade balance is still negative with a deficit of 37.4
million euros. Compared to first seven months the deficit decreased by 60.9
million EUR.

The exports’ structure
of Estonian wood-based products is dominated by value added products. The
largest share of export is held by sawn and planed timber (with 18.8 %),
followed by wood furniture and details (15.2 %), wooden prefabricated buildings
(14,6%) and construction components (14.2 %). Prefabricated houses were mainly
exported to Norway, Germany and Great Britain.